Jackie Robinson biopic in the works

Baseball fans, get ready, because Legendary Pictures has announced it's developing a film about Jackie Robinson, the first African American Major League Baseball player. Brian Hegeland ("The Order," "A Knight's Tale") is set to direct and former Walt Disney Studios Chair Dick Cook will be the executive producer.

This is not the first time someone has tried to bring Robinson's story to cinemas. In fact, Spike Lee once tried to direct a film about the baseball star with Denzel Washington as the lead. Robert Redford has been trying to breathe life into this story for many years as well. Only time will tell if Legendary Pictures can finally make it happen. (Via Deadline)

Saturday film news web roundup: Johnny Depp 'shocked' by Cook's exit; Three more join 'Priest'

Here is a list of recent film news and posts I either missed or simply didn't have time to cover earlier:

• On Friday, Dick Cook suddenly resigned as chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and one guy deeply saddened by the news was Johnny Depp, who told the Los Angeles Times he was "shocked and very sad" by Cook's departure. (More here)

• Madchen Amick, Christopher Plummer and Brad Dourif have joined Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Maggie Q and Cam Gigandet in Scott Stewart's upcoming thriller "Priest." (via MTV)

• The great Paul Giamatti has boarded Jonathan English's "Ironclad." Giamatti will be playing King John, who along with his army faced a Knights Templar (Jamed Purefoy) and his "Magnificent Seven" in 13th century England. (Variety)

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Disney goes creepy with Guillermo del Toro

Walt Disney Studios and acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro are joining forces to create the "Disney Double Dare You" production label, which will focus on creating animated films stuffed with chills and thrills.

Del Toro will keep an eye on all the productions going through the label, and he plans to direct some of the films as well. "Trollhunters" is the title of the first project Double Dare You will handle, and del Toro is on board to produce.

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